How to Reserve Your WhatsApp Username Before the Rollout
After years of rumors, beta tests, and repeated requests from users, WhatsApp is finally bringing usernames to the world's largest messaging app.
This feature was first teased last year, but it is finally becoming a reality. The long-awaited update will allow people to connect without sharing their phone numbers, bringing WhatsApp closer to rivals such as Telegram and Signal, which have offered username-based communication for years.
How to reserve your WhatsApp username
WhatsApp is rolling out username reservations gradually, so not everyone will see the option immediately. The company says users should make sure they are running the latest version of the app and watch for a notification when the feature becomes available in their country.
Once access is enabled, reserving a username takes only a few steps:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to Settings
- Tap Account
- Select Username
- Type your desired username
- Confirm your selection
According to WhatsApp, usernames can be between three and 35 characters long. Users can later change or remove their username if they decide they want something different.
The company is also reserving certain names associated with celebrities, public figures, and major organizations to help prevent impersonation. Businesses, creators, and organizations will have the option to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook to maintain consistency across platforms.
For many users, the update addresses one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy complaints. Until now, starting a conversation usually meant sharing a phone number, whether with a new acquaintance, someone from a community group, or a participant in a large group chat. That's a bigger issue than it may initially seem, as phone numbers are often linked to banking apps, two-factor authentication, work contacts, delivery services, social media accounts, and a person's real-world identity. With usernames, users will be able to connect without exposing that information to every new contact.
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